Forecasting mortgage rates can be a tricky business, but reporting from MarketWatch shows the latest 2019 predictions from housing experts.
Despite predictions of mortgage rate “normalization,” rates over the past few years seem to always be affected by unpredicted events, such as the Brexit vote or the 2016 election. Despite the variability, 2018 is seeing the closest numbers to “normal” in a long time, with a predicted full-year average of 4.54 percent for the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, the highest rate since 2010.
Most experts are prediction that rates in 2019 will continue to rise. Freddie Mac predicts a 5.1 percent full-year, average, while Fannie Mae predicts 4.8 percent. Realtor.com went even higher with its prediction of 5.3 percent.